Shandong Wines to Try: A Curated List
Twelve Shandong wines that show what the region can do. Across price points, styles, and estates. The map for a serious tasting.
If you have never had a Shandong wine, or you have only had Greatwall and Changyu’s mid-range, this list is the doorway in. Twelve wines, across estates, grapes, and price points. They will tell you what Penglai and the broader Shandong region can do at its best.
The Twelve
Section titled “The Twelve”1. Domaine de Long Dai 2018
Section titled “1. Domaine de Long Dai 2018”Estate: DBR Lafite | Region: Penglai (Qiushan Valley) | Approximate price: RMB 2,488 / USD 450
The flagship Bordeaux-blend benchmark of the region. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Marselan, 8% Cabernet Franc. Restrained, structured, age-worthy. James Suckling 96, Wine Advocate 93. Drink 2025–2040.
2. Hu Yue 2019 (Long Dai second wine)
Section titled “2. Hu Yue 2019 (Long Dai second wine)”Estate: DBR Lafite | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 988
The introduction to Long Dai’s style at a fraction of the price. Five-variety blend, 57% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit-led, accessible. The Penglai signature, that maritime salinity, comes through more clearly than in the flagship. Drink 2024–2032.
3. Chateau Nine Peaks Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019
Section titled “3. Chateau Nine Peaks Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019”Estate: Chateau Nine Peaks | Region: Qingdao (Jiulong Lake) | Approximate price: RMB 800–1,000
China’s most serious Cabernet Franc. Right-bank Bordeaux profile: blackcurrant, graphite, fine tannins, savory finish. James Suckling 95. Drink 2024–2034.
4. Chateau Nine Peaks Marselan 2018
Section titled “4. Chateau Nine Peaks Marselan 2018”Estate: Chateau Nine Peaks | Region: Qingdao | Approximate price: RMB 500–700
The most polished Marselan from southern Shandong. Restrained at 13.5% ABV, with violet, black cherry, white pepper. Drink 2024–2030.
5. Treaty Port Tempranillo 2018
Section titled “5. Treaty Port Tempranillo 2018”Estate: Treaty Port Vineyards | Region: Penglai (Mulang) | Approximate price: RMB 400–600
The only serious Tempranillo in China. Dried cherry, leather, dill, vanilla. Rioja Crianza style, made in Penglai. Drink 2023–2030.
6. Runaway Cow Ridge Saperavi 2020
Section titled “6. Runaway Cow Ridge Saperavi 2020”Estate: Runaway Cow Ridge | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 600–800
The most distinctive red made in Shandong. Inky black-violet, raw black fruit, smoke, gripping tannin. Drink 2025–2035.
7. Longting Autumn Moon Petit Manseng (late harvest) 2020
Section titled “7. Longting Autumn Moon Petit Manseng (late harvest) 2020”Estate: Longting | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 800 (half-bottle)
Among the three best dessert wines made in China. Apricot jam, marmalade, ginger, with sweetness around 150 g/L balanced by high acidity. Drink 2024–2045.
8. Longting Pure Red Maréchal Foch 2019
Section titled “8. Longting Pure Red Maréchal Foch 2019”Estate: Longting | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 400–550
The most original red made in China. Mulberry, smoke, game, peppery, with foxy notes that not everyone enjoys. Worth trying for the singularity. Drink 2023–2029.
9. Changyu Noble Dragon Series N188 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Section titled “9. Changyu Noble Dragon Series N188 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018”Estate: Changyu Pioneer Wine | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 600–900
DWWA 97-point Best in Show 2025. Changyu’s quality flagship that proves the industrial giant can also make precise wine. Cassis, dark chocolate, fine tannin, long finish. Drink 2024–2034.
10. Mystic Island Chardonnay 2020
Section titled “10. Mystic Island Chardonnay 2020”Estate: Mystic Island | Region: Daheishan Island, Shandong | Approximate price: RMB 400–550
China’s only serious island-grown wine. Saline-mineral driven Chardonnay. Lemon, oyster shell, a savory finish. Pair with raw oysters or scallop crudo. Drink 2023–2028.
11. Bodega Langes Tempranillo Reserve 2018
Section titled “11. Bodega Langes Tempranillo Reserve 2018”Estate: Bodega Langes | Region: Penglai | Approximate price: RMB 400–500
A Spanish-styled Tempranillo with more freshness than Treaty Port’s. Plummy, light leather, brighter acidity. A good comparison wine to the Treaty Port. Drink 2023–2028.
12. Chateau Anuo Chardonnay 2021
Section titled “12. Chateau Anuo Chardonnay 2021”Estate: Chateau Anuo | Region: Penglai (Mulang) | Approximate price: RMB 400 (small production)
A boutique Chardonnay from one of the new-generation estates. Lemon, pear, light oak, restrained body. Worth seeking out via Beijing sommelier channels. Drink 2023–2027.
How to Build a Tasting
Section titled “How to Build a Tasting”If you can find six of these, you have a serious tasting. The grouping I would suggest:
Flight 1: The Big Three. Long Dai 2018, Nine Peaks Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019, Changyu Noble Dragon N188. Three different visions of Shandong serious red.
Flight 2: The Outliers. Treaty Port Tempranillo, Runaway Cow Ridge Saperavi, Longting Pure Red Maréchal Foch. Three grapes you would not expect to find in China. Each one a deliberate bet.
Flight 3: The Whites. Mystic Island Chardonnay, Longting Spring Equinox Petit Manseng dry, Anuo Chardonnay. Three approaches to Shandong whites. Saline, aromatic, restrained.
Closer: Longting Autumn Moon late-harvest Petit Manseng. Pair with a cheese course or fresh peaches.
On the Pricing
Section titled “On the Pricing”Most of these wines fall in the RMB 400–1,000 range. That is mid-priced by Chinese-wine standards, where Greatwall sits at RMB 50–200 and the top end of Long Dai climbs over RMB 2,500.
In USD comparison: a RMB 700 Shandong wine costs about USD 100 retail. The same money in Bordeaux buys a low-Cru-classé Saint-Émilion or a strong Cru Bourgeois Médoc. Honestly the Bordeaux comparison usually wins on quality-for-money. The case for Shandong wines is not about competing on price-quality with established regions. The case is about what Shandong tastes like that nothing else does.
The estate you remember most after tasting these twelve will not be the most expensive one. It will be the most itself.